JetBlue flight makes emergency landing in Kansas after false alarm

SALINA, Kan. (AP) — A JetBlue flight from New York to San Diego has landed safely in Kansas after the crew received a smoke alert in the cargo area, authorities said. The airline said it turned out to be a false alarm.

Flight 1189, with about 130 people on board, departed Kennedy International Airport around 4:00 p.m. Saturday and headed for San Diego International Airport.

The Airbus A320 landed at Salina Regional Airport in Kansas around 6:30 p.m. local time. The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate.

No injuries were reported and the local fire department helped people off the plane.

“The pilot came over and let us know he saw a smoke alert in the cargo hold,” said passenger Seth Odell, NBC News reported. “Some passengers reported hearing a loud bang as well, so we descended incredibly quickly and landed at the extremely small airport in Salina.”

Odell said people started “freaking out.”

“Some people were crying. It was a bit intense for a few minutes,” he said.

JetBlue said in a statement that the plane landed without incident.

“Upon inspection, we determined that the smoke indication presented to our pilots was a false indication,” the statement said.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

TOPICS
Kansas Aviation